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Illinois Basketball: Updated top 5 Illini targets for the class of 2018

By Rees Woodcock

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Illinois Fighting Illini cheerleaders perform during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Michigan State Spartans on January 22, 2018 at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Blake Hinson

A little less than two weeks ago, the Illinois basketball team received some amazing news. Class of 2019 forward Blake Hinson reclassified for 2018 and named Illinois as one of his final three schools he will be choosing from.

Hinson is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward from Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. He is rated as a four-star recruit who is the No. 96 player in the class of 2018. There were many teams after Hinson but he told Rivals’ Kedric Prince that Illinois, Seton Hall and Washington State were the top three teams he wants to pick from.

The official visits aren’t set for Hinson, though. He will be making them soon according to the reporting by Prince. One thing is for sure, though. Hinson would be a great addition to this Illinois basketball team for 2018.

The guard situation for the Illini does need some help, but a bigger priority is finding a suitable No. 4 for the team moving forward. If Hinson picked the Illini, I could see him potentially starting or at worst being the primary backup at the No. 4 spot. He has a nice big body and can rebound. He would be the second coming of Leron Black.

I haven’t seen much on Hinson’s recruitment since his top three was released. I imagine Illinois has a really good chance at landing him, but I am sure more news will come up before or during the signing period on April 11.

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